05.29.2024

Today’s Forecast

84º | 5% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:28 a.m. | Sunset 8:48 p.m.

Get the overarching details

Planning has begun for the Walnut Street Bridge renovation

The opening of the Walnut Street Bridge during sunset

We’re bridging the pieces together for you all. | Photo via Chattanooga Tourism Co.

The City of Chattanooga recently posted an advertisement for bids for the Walnut Street Bridge renovation, marking the start of this anticipated project.

While the project won’t begin until March 2025, we’re sharing some key details to help you cross that bridge when we come to it.

This project will be the first major renovation of the beloved Walnut Street Bridge in 30 years. Crews will focus on addressing safety concerns by working on structural steel repairs, new decking, installing new electrical + lighting systems, and repainting the bridge.

NOOGA | Walnut Street Bridge — The Walnut Street Bridge was dedicated as a pedestrian bridge in 1993.
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Photo via the Chattanooga Public Library

“The Walnut Street Bridge isn’t just a crucial gathering place and connection between downtown and the NorthShore, it is a powerful symbol of Chattanooga and a source of civic pride,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly.

What to expect

The bridge will be closed to all pedestrian traffic wanting to fully cross the Tennessee River, but areas will remain open to continue to activate the space.
Construction will halt in times of major events (think: Ironman, 7 Bridges Marathon, etc.) to make the bridge temporarily crossable.
Protected lanes will be added to the Veterans Memorial + Market Street Bridges — closing at least one lane originally used by car traffic and converting it to a designated space with a physical barrier for pedestrians and cyclists.

Note: The Market Street Bridge is overseen by TDOT, meaning approval is needed before protected lanes can be designated.

Map of alternative pedestrian routes across the Tennessee River — Check out the proposed plans for pedestrians and cyclists to use when crossing the Tennessee River.
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Map provided by the City of Chattanooga

Projected timeline

July | Bid opens, review + analysis
August | Bid selection, TDOT review of selected bid + City Council award of contract
September | Execution of contract
October | Public notice + pre-construction work
March 2025 | Construction begins + alternate pedestrian routes open — Note: Construction is projected to take 18 months.
Fall 2026 | Construction completed

This project will be primarily funded by federal transportation dollars + city hotel-motel tax funds (which the city has been setting aside in previous budgets over the years).

Folks can get updates by texting “WSB” to 423-249-9181, subscribing to email alerts, or bookmarking the city’s website dedicated to the project.

Asked

Do you think you can match Southeastern cities to their pedestrian bridges?

Walk over and find out

Events

Wednesday, May 29

Whiskey Meet & Greet | Wednesday, May 29 | 5-7 p.m. | Nic & Norman’s, 1386 Market St., Chattanooga | Free+ | Enjoy drink and flight specials while meeting Cody Turner of Kentucky-based Casey Jones Distillery.
Tea + Tarot | Wednesday, May 29 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $33.85 | Get cozy and centered with a guided meditation, poetry, and a tarot reading.

Thursday, May 30

“Cleanish” Comedy Showcase | Thursday, May 30 | 7 p.m. | The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St., Chattanooga | $15-$20 | Laugh along with comedian Carollynn Xavier and up-and-coming comics that will join her on stage.

Friday, May 31

“The Prince” | Friday, May 31-Saturday, June 1 | Times vary | Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave, Chattanooga | $15 | See the US premiere of this play where the main characters are trapped in a multiverse of Shakespeare’s complete works.

Saturday, June 1

Mini Farmers Market | Saturday, June 1 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Red Bank City Park, 3817 Redding Rd., Red Bank | Free+ | Shop for fresh flowers, farm-raised eggs, meat, produce, and more.
Rock On At Kelly’s Adopt-A-Thon | Saturday, June 1 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Humane Educational Society, 4155 Randolph Cir., Chattanooga | Free+ | Come out for a day filled with live music, food + craft vendors, games, and free adoptions.
of Montreal | Saturday, June 1 | 9-11:55 p.m. | Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., Chattanooga | $25-$30 | See this indie-pop band from Athens, GA take the stage in the Scenic City.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

A six-story building is set to be constructed in Chattanooga’s Westside at 1620 Riverfront Pkwy. The 70,000-sqft structure will be the headquarters for Chattanooga Football Club, along with housing 49 apartments, office spaces, and a fitness center. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Sports

UTC senior Olivia Reeves is set to represent the US in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Reeves is one of five representatives on the USA Weightlifting team and has been cited as one of the “best young weightlifters on the planet.” Good luck and congratulations, Olivia. (University of Tennessee Chattanooga)

Biz

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center has named Susan Day as its director of development. Day previously served as the development manager at the Hunter Museum of American Art + in her new role will work to secure resources to support the center’s Framework for the Future plan.

Cause

Scenic City Speech has created an Autism Support Group for “parents and caregivers with children on the spectrum.” The group’s inaugural meeting will be on Tuesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. at 6011 Chesterton Way in nearby Ooltewah. Note: You do not have to be a client to attend. (Local 3)

Ranked

Chattanooga recently came in at No. 11 on Southern Living’s “15 Friendliest Cities in the South” list. The Scenic City was cited as having a “real sense of community” and for “standing out as being extra gracious” — and we couldn’t agree more.

Theater

Barking Legs Theater’s Sale of the Century has been postponed to Saturday, June 1. Folks can swing by from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to purchase “unique curated items, wares, and goods” to help support theater programming.

State

TDOT was recently awarded three national awards for its statewide beautification efforts. The department was recognized for its programs for “preventing litter, clearing illegally dumped waste tires, and promoting scenic roadways.”

Try This

Sitting at the foot of Lookout Mountain for Reflection Riding’s Campfire Concert Series is an experience unlike any other. The jam-packed evenings under the stars feature local music, beers, s’mores, and fun for the whole family. Psst: The last show is this Friday. Get your tickets.*

Wellness

In case you missed it, our latest edition of NOOGA Wellness in partnership with Erlanger Health features: positive habits to add to your morning routine, how to enhance your mental fitness, natural ways to manage stress + more.*

Home

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Shop

Cozy Earth’s best-selling bamboo viscose sheets — featured on Oprah’s 2018 Favorite Things list — are temperature-regulating and keep you cool on even the hottest summer nights.*

Community

We’re having a field day with this one

The Corporate Challenge comes to Chattanooga

A team wearing yellow shirts competing in tug-of-war and team mates cheering them on in the background.

“Corporate Challenge can really be anything your company needs, whether that’s culture building or health and wellness initiatives,” said Director of Culture and Partnerships Summer Hall. | Photo provided by Knight Eady

Choose your team colors because Chattanooga-area businesses will soon battle it out in the Corporate Challenge.

On Saturday, June 8, this adult field day will make its first appearance in the city — brought to you by Knight Eady, a marketing agency based in Birmingham, AL who has been running this annual competition for nine years.

Local businesses will send their teams, consisting of folks from all levels of the company, out to compete in mini challenges at Finley Stadium. To keep things on a level playing field, there are three different divisions based on the size of the company.

Bonus: Registration is still open + proceeds go to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chattanooga.

This family-friendly event is open to all to support area businesses + acts as a way to network with others. From 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be various games that range in skill and ability levels, from hula hooping to tug-of-war.

The Buy

Handcrafted candles. Transport yourself to the breathtaking landscapes and scents of your favorite National Parks with scents from The Roosevelts Candle Co.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Haley

From the editor

Psst, I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. I have a fun scavenger hunt in the works for you all — but first, I need to know, do you have a little library in your neighborhood? Send me its location.

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